IRCC Policy Update — September 3, 2026
Thursday, September 3, 2026
IRCC has opened public consultations (August 4 – September 1, 2026) to gather input on economic priorities and categories for Express Entry's category-based selection system in 2027.
The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan targets a sharp reduction in new temporary resident arrivals — from 673,650 in 2025 down to 385,000 in 2026, and 370,000 in both 2027 and 2028 — with a goal of keeping temporary residents below 5% of Canada's total population by end of 2027.
As of April 1, 2026, Canadian passport fees increased (e.g., adult 10-year passport now costs $163.50), and a new '30 days or free' processing guarantee took effect, automatically refunding fees if applications take longer than 30 business days.
What You Should Do
- If you are a stakeholder, employer, or member of the public with views on which worker categories should be prioritized in Express Entry for 2027, submit your feedback via the IRCC consultation page at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/transparency/consultations/2026-consultations-express-entry-selection.html before the deadline of September 1, 2026.
- If you are a temporary worker or international student planning to come to Canada, review your timeline: new arrival targets are capped at 385,000 for 2026 and 370,000 for 2027-2028, meaning competition for temporary resident spots will be significantly higher. Check your program's specific targets at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/corporate-initiatives/levels/supplementary-immigration-levels-2026-2028.html.
- If you are applying for a Canadian passport, budget for the new fees: $163.50 for a 10-year adult passport (up from $160) or $122.50 for a 5-year adult passport (up from $120). If your application takes longer than 30 business days to process after submission of a complete application, you are entitled to a full fee refund — track your submission date and follow up with IRCC if the deadline is missed.
Sources
Topics Covered
Service Fee Adjustments: Effective March 31 – April 1, 2026, Canadian passport fees rose for the first time since 2013, with a 10-year adult passport now costing $163.50. A new '30 days or free' processing guarantee also took effect, entitling applicants to a full refund if their complete application is not processed within 30 business days.
2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: Canada's 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan sharply cuts new temporary resident arrivals from 673,650 in 2025 to 385,000 in 2026 and 370,000 in 2027-2028, targeting a temporary resident share of less than 5% of the total population by end of 2027, while stabilizing permanent resident admissions below 1% of the population annually beyond 2027.
Category-Based Selection System: IRCC has opened public consultations from August 4 to September 1, 2026 to gather input on which economic priorities and worker categories should shape Express Entry's category-based selection for 2027. Over 17,000 submissions were received in a prior round of broader Express Entry reform consultations, which are now closed.
More IRCC Policy Updates
IRCC Policy Update — August 31, 2026
Aug 31, 2026
IRCC Policy Update — August 27, 2026
Aug 27, 2026
IRCC Policy Update — August 24, 2026
Aug 24, 2026
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